Lahiri shares lead in qualifying for British Open

Chonburi (Thailand), March 1 (IANS) Anirban Lahiri of India continued his solid form by shooting an opening round four-under-par 68 to share the lead with Jonathan Moore of the US at The Open Championship International Final Qualifying (IFQ) - Asia Thursday.

Lahiri, who won his second Asian Tour title at the SAIL-SBI Open on home soil last week, was cruising on six-under before dropping a bogey on 16 and a costly double bogey on the signature 17th hole at the Amata Spring Country Club, where players must take a boat ride to the green after their tee shot. He recovered with a birdie on the last hole.

Moore, winner of the Asian Development Tour Order of Merit last year, enjoyed a hot putting day highlighted by an eagle three on the 15th hole.

Kwanchai Tannin of Thailand, Kodai Ichihara of Japan, Australian Scott Barr and Japanese amateur Hideki Matsuyama were trailing Lahiri in the IFQ where the top-four players at the end of the two-day qualifier will earn tickets to The Open Championship in July.

“I am really happy with the way I played. I drove the ball really well. I am happy with the way I’m swinging it. All and all it was a good round. I would have loved to finish better,” said Lahiri.

Lahiri was delighted to be in the running of earning a Major debut despite hitting his wedge shot into the water on 17.

“I love watching all The Opens. I remember watching Tiger (Woods) go out with his two-iron and smashing it around St. Andrews. He would kill the field and that was fantastic. Hopefully if I can play well tomorrow, I can be a part of that,” said the 24-year-old.

Moore, who played on the back nine, sank a huge eagle putt on the 15th hole from the edge of the green from 50 feet before carding three straight birdies from the first hole.

Kwanchai, who is aiming to qualify for his first Major appearance, put his local knowledge to good use as he returned with five birdies against two bogeys.

Barr of Australia was on five-under after 16 holes and but failed to maintain his momentum as he returned with two closing bogeys. He will be aiming to make his second appearance in The Open since making his Major debut in 2004.

The Open Championship will be played at the Royal Lytham and St. Annes from July 19 to 22.